Field Research for Solar Power Satellite Energy Receiving Stations

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The current stage of research for "SPS 2000" pilot plant project requires planing a number of microwave energy receiving antennas, "rectennas", at sites within a few hundred kilometers of the equator. For each rectenna this requires selecting a suitable site, deciding its size and specification, estimating the energy storage capacity required, planning the local power distribution network and its operation, and other matters.The final stage of field research involved visits to Ecuador in October 1996 and the Maldives in March 1997. Meetings were held in both countries with national and local government officials and with interested researchers, at which the possibility of their countries participating in the SPS 2000 project was discussed. All were keen to participate, and candidate rectenna sites were identified. In both countries a number of issues were identified.In Ecuador there are three distinct climatic regions in which a rectenna could be sited - tropical forest, Andean plateau … More , and coastal plain. Since the Andean plain is the highest land at the equator, a high altitude rectenna may be attractive. The Galapagos islands are also a promising site for a rectenna, since it would have little environmental impact. It was suggested that an Ecuadorian SPS 2000 rectenna would probably be established as an independent business corporation, which would facilitate cooperation with other organizations. This arrangement could become an interesting model for other countries, and a valuable step towards the commercialization of SPS in future. Staff at Saint Francis University in Quito, Ecuador will act as contacts for future collaboration.In the Maldives there are no indigenous energy resources, and there was considerable interest in siting an SPS 2000 rectenna there. Since there is very little land in the Maldives, but very extensive areas of shallow water over reefs, it may be that a rectenna in the Maldives will be nuilt over water in the most southern part of the country, Addu Atoll. Staffin the Department of Atolls Administration and the Department of Planning, Human Resources and Environment will act as contacts for future collaboration. Less